The Guadalcanal Campaign, also known as the Battle of Guadalcanal, codenamed Operation Watchtower, was fought between August 7, 1942 and February 9, 1943. The battle was fought in the Pacific Theater was the campaign of the first major offensive launched by Allied forces against the Empire of Japan. Mostly American, and Japanese troops fought in the Battle of Guadalcanal. Surprised by the Allied offensive, the Japanese made several attempts between August and November 1942 to retake Henderson Field from the U.S. Marines. Guadalcanal marked the transition by the Allies from defensive operations to the strategic offensive in that theatre and the beginning of offensive operations that resulted in Japan's eventual surrender and the end of World War II.
The Guadalcanal Campaign, also known as the Battle of Guadalcanal, codenamed Operation Watchtower, was fought between August 7, 1942 and February 9, 1943. The battle was fought in the Pacific Theater was the campaign of the first major offensive launched by Allied forces against the Empire of Japan. Mostly American, and Japanese troops fought in the Battle of Guadalcanal. Surprised by the Allied offensive, the Japanese made several attempts between August and November 1942 to retake Henderson Field from the U.S. Marines. Guadalcanal marked the transition by the Allies from defensive operations to the strategic offensive in that theatre and the beginning of offensive operations that resulted in Japan's eventual surrender and the end of World War II.